Basket caddy for a step ladder

ABSTRACT

A vented wire mesh basket having pivotally mounted unshaped bail rod handles for installing atop a step ladder for the purpose of holding various tools and other work materials. The vented basked or ladder caddy comprises a plurality of elongated length wise and width wise wires that are formed into a substantially u-shaped pattern where the base of the u-shaped pattern is substantially flattened and the opposing sides of the u-shaped pattern are canted outward with respect to one another. The length wise and width wise u-shaped wires are attached along the length of their base interconnecting to form a vented mesh pattern for the base of the basket. The plurality of sides of the plurality of u-shaped wires form a vented wall of the basket. A top frame wire is formed into a top rim or frame portion that is connected along the top ends of the plurality of sides of the u-shaped wires. There is also a center frame wire formed in an endless loop and connected around the peripheral of the sides of the unshaped wires proximate a central portion of the sides with respect to the top end and base end of the u-shaped wire. There are also a pair of u-shaped bail rod handles that are pivotally attached to the top frame rod for installing atop a step ladder and for carrying a basket.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for holding or carrying tools, materials, supplies and other work items and, more particularly, to a tool and work material caddy for a step ladder.

2. Background Art

Many work projects are performed at heights above the height of a worker, which may require the individual worker to utilize a ladder to complete the work project at the elevated height. It is common to utilize a step ladder to aid in performing various overhead work projects. Step ladders are a common apparatus for any operation requiring a worker to perform a work project at an elevation that is overhead including such work projects involving painting, plumbing, electrical work, wood work and various other like work projects. One common problem associated with utilizing a step ladder to perform a work project is the problem of inaccessibility of the tools required for performing the particular project. Further, it may require that a ladder be moved to various locations in order to complete the work project at the elevated height, which will require moving the necessary tools to the new location approximate the ladder thereby requiring some sort of tool carrying means to avoid multiple trips from location to location to retrieve and move tools.

Virtually all forms of working on a ladder require some type of tool or part to complete the related project. Retrieving tools or parts or materials while on a step ladder has been an ongoing problem because most work projects require multiple tools as well as multiple material items in order to complete the project. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the person performing the elevated work project on the ladder to make repeated trips up and down a ladder in order to access the appropriate tool to complete or perform a portion of the elevated work project. Repeated climbing up and down the ladder will result in unnecessary fatigue for the worker.

Various trays, caddys and other holding devices have been adapted for ladders and are known in the art for attaching to a step ladder such that the worker can readily access tools contained therein. There are trays that are permanently attached to ladders that can pivotally fold out or retract within the legs of the ladder. There are other various trays that are removably attached to a step ladder for holding and supporting tools and various other items. There are also various caddy devices that are removably attached to a step ladder including utility baskets having a unshaped bail rod handle that fits atop a step ladder for holding tools such as the utility basket with a carrying handle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819.

The bail rod handle design of U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819 allows the utility basket to be quickly removed and installed atop a step ladder rather than requiring other types of brackets for positioning the basket atop the step ladder. However, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,819, the bail rod handle design being pivotable and centrally connected prevents the bail rod handle from being used as a basket carrying handle such that the basket has another handle positioned in the container area of the basket. However, this single bail rod design that is centrally and pivotally attached to the basket thus requiring a separate handle for carrying is not an optimal design for such a ladder caddy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a vented wire mesh basket having pivotally mounted unshaped bail rod handles for installing atop a step ladder for the purpose of holding various tools and other work materials. The vented basked or ladder caddy comprises a plurality of elongated length wise and width wise wires that are formed into a substantially u-shaped pattern where the base of the u-shaped pattern is substantially flattened and the opposing sides of the u-shaped pattern are canted outward with respect to one another. The length wise and width wise u-shaped wires are attached along the length of their base interconnecting to form a vented mesh pattern for the base of the basket. The plurality of sides of the plurality of unshaped wires form a vented wall of the basket. A top frame wire is formed into a top rim or frame portion that is connected along the top ends of the plurality of sides of the u-shaped wires. There is also a center frame wire formed in an endless loop and connected around the peripheral of the sides of the u-shaped wires proximate a central portion of the sides with respect to the top end and base end of the u-shaped wire. There are also a pair of u-shaped bail rod handles that are pivotally attached to the top frame rod for installing atop a step ladder and for carrying a basket.

Also, one embodiment of the invention can include a wire locking system for an extension cord or electrical cord for a power tool and a spool rod for mounting a spool of wire.

These and other advantageous features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a caddy;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a caddy installed atop a step ladder;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are the top, front and side plan views of the caddy;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are the front and side plan views of the bail rod handle;

FIG. 4C is a plan view of the locking wire;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the spool rod;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the baskets nested; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top and front plan views of the basket liner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

According to the embodiment(s) of the present invention, various views are illustrated in FIG. 1-7 and like reference numerals are being used consistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of the invention for all of the various views and figures of the drawing. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a given item or part of the invention should correspond to the Fig. number in which the item or part is first identified.

One embodiment of the present invention comprising a formed top frame and center frame connected around the periphery of interconnected unshaped wires teaches a novel apparatus for a ladder caddy.

The details of the invention and various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the figures of the drawing. Referring to FIG. 1, Item 106 is a steel top frame which can preferably be about approximately ¼″ and is a formed frame with two loops, 112 and 122, incorporated in the body; one loop on each side of the caddy. The loops extend beyond the rectangular line of the top frame and can be open ended loops having a gap wire that bridges the open end. This frame is for stability and is used to install the two handles, Items 110 and 111, to the caddy which makes carrying tools and supplies painless. This frame and handle attachment is used to secure the caddy to the ladder 200, see FIG. 200.

The importance of this top frame 106 become critical after the caddy has been installed on the stepladder. As down load force is put inside the caddy, this frame will experience an outward horizontal force. If the steel top formed frame becomes bent or deformed, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The result may be that the caddy will not hang in a level manner or hang at the appropriate height.

The two loops incorporated in the body of the formed top frame 106, along with Items 114 and 120 referred to as hooks or locking pins, secure electrical cords away from the steps 208 of the stepladder 200, see FIG. 2. By making a loop in the electrical cord and inserting that loop in the electrical cord through the bottom of the loops found in the formed top frame, then placing hooks or locking pins through the loop in the electrical cord, this now serves as a locking device securing electrical cords away from the steps of the stepladder for safety. It also keeps electrical extension cords attached to the cords of power tools that are being used. This also eliminates the desire to tie knots from the extension cord and the cord from the power tools so that the two cords don't become separated.

A center frame 108 is preferably made of steel and can be preferably about approximately ¼″. The importance of this frame becomes critical after the caddy has been installed on the stepladder. As down load force is put inside the caddy, this frame will experience an inward horizontal force against the legs of the stepladder. This frame keeps the spacing of the wire basket from separating. If the spacing between wire in the caddy should separate, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction.

Items 102 and 104 of the caddy can be referred to as the long 104 and short 102 substantially u-shaped wires that are interconnected along the length of the base of the u-shaped wires to form a meshed crossing pattern thereby forming the bottom of a basket. The opposing upright sides of the u-shaped wires form the walls of the basket. The long wires are interconnected to the short wires along the lengths of the bases of the u-shaped wires in one embodiment such that all the bases and sides of the long wires are in parallel with respect to each other and the same for the short wires. Number ten (10) gauge wire can be used for the long and short wires. Ten (10) gauge wire builds strength in the caddy so that the caddy will not be deformed.

Two (2) handles 110 and 111 or bail rods can be used for the caddy. Each handle or bail rod can be made of about approximately ¼″ steel wire. The length of each bail rod can be about approximately 17⅛″ wide plus or minus as shown. The importance of the length dimension is that either handle on the caddy will swing around the top of most stepladders, holding the caddy securely in place. The handle over the top of the stepladder applies horizontal force to the legs of the stepladder. However, the length of the handle can vary depending on the dimensions of the step ladder for which it is to be used.

The width of the handle can be about approximately 8 3/16″ as shown. It is a critical point that the short dimension N be maintained consistent with the type of ladder for which it will be used. This holds the caddy near the top of the stepladder. If this dimension was made shorter, the handle may not go over the top of most stepladders which, at this point, the unit could not be used as a ladder caddy.

By increasing this 8 3/16″ dimension N to something greater, the fulcrum point of the caddy would change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The caddy would also drop lower on the stepladder which would limit its usefulness by making it more difficult to reach materials and supplies inside the caddy, and would increase tipping of the stepladder which is a large safety issue. The dimension N can be optimized for ladders for which the present invention will be utilized; however, based on the typical step ladder one embodiment is about approximately 8 3/16″.

Hooks and or locking pins can be made of about approximately ¼″ wire. Two for each caddy is shown for example as one embodiment. They are pivotally connected in the top frame in the loop area of the top frame of the caddy. By making a loop in an electrical cord, and inserting that loop through the bottom of the loops found in the formed frame, then placing the hooks or locking pins through the loop in the electrical cord, this now serves as a locking device securing electrical cords away from the steps of the stepladder for safety.

The wire locking system can be made up of ten (10) gauge support wire that can be 4⅜″ long and two can be used for each caddy. Wires 118 and 125 can be used as a paint roller handle lock 118 or 125. When a person is using the caddy to hold a paint pan, paint and a paint roller, a need arose to develop a locking system to keep the paint roller handle from falling into the paint. These wires 118 and 125 located on each side of the caddy serve as the locking device for most paint roller handles. The dimensions of the caddy can be optimally designed to allow a standard sized paint pan to fit on the bottom of the caddy or dimension such that the paint pan can be securely nested on the top frame.

Item 126 can be made of eighteen (18) gauge sheet metal which can be about approximately 7½″×3⅜″. Its function is to offer a place on the caddy to support labels.

Items 116 and 124 are two gap wires that can be about approximately ¼″ welded to the top formed frame. The function of the gap wires is to support an accessory referred to in FIG. 5 as item 500 of the drawings and can be referred to as a spooler.

The spooler shown on FIG. 5 can be about approximately ¼″ steel rod that can be about approximately 20⅜″ long with about approximately ¾″ bend on one end and about approximately 1″ bend on the other end and about approximately 1¼″ return bend. The return bend is for pivotally connecting the spooler or spool rod to one of the gap wires and the opposing end of the spooler is removably hooked on the opposing gap wire. A drawing of this unit can be found on FIG. 5 of the drawing. The function of the spooler is to allow a person to install rolls of wire or cable on the spooler, and then insert the spooler inside the caddy. This allows a person to install wire or cable from the top of a stepladder. The importance of having a bend on one end of about approximately 1″ with about approximately 1¼″ return bend is to hold the spooler in place.

Item Z is referred to as the side wall angle and that can be seen in FIG. 3C of the drawings. The importance of this angle is to help to hold the caddy on a level horizontal plane with the stepladder. The angle can be about approximately 80°. Should the horizontal plane change, the fulcrum point would also change, a factor critically affecting the outcome or reaction. The angle also aids in the nesting of the units. This detail can be found on FIG. 6A and 6B of the drawings.

As seen in FIG. 7, tray liner can be about approximately 15.4″ long by 10.5″ wide by 2″ deep. Its function is to keep small items such as screws and nails from falling through the bottom. The size of the tray liner can vary depending on the dimensions of the caddy. The liner can also be utilized as a paint pan and can be removably disposed in the bottom of the caddy.

Referring to FIG. 2, the caddy 100 is shown installed over the top portion 202 of the step ladder 200 utilizing the bail rod 111. The opposing bail rod 110 is shown retracted downward such that items can be hung therefrom. The center frame 108 is shown resting against the rear legs 204 and 205 of the step ladder. The center frame 108 reinforces the vented caddy basket such that the spacing between the wires or the basket are maintained thereby preventing deformation of the basket. The bail rod 111 is secured about the legs 204, 205, 206 and 207 of the step ladder. A worker can stand on the steps 208 of the step ladder while accessing items contained within the caddy.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, a top front and side view of the caddy is shown. The top plan view designates the length dimension as A and the width dimension as B. The gage of the wire for mounting the spool rod is designated as G. The diameter of the wire locking loop is designated as D and the outer dimensions are designated as E and F. The spacing between the unshaped wires is designated as C. One embodiment of the invention can be such that the dimensions can be about approximately 18.75″ for A, 13.8125″ for B, 1.375″ for C, 2.875″ for D, 2.875″ for E, 2.875″ for F, and 0.25″ for G. The overall length is designated as H and one embodiment of the invention is such that H can be about approximately 24″, the height is designated as I and can be about approximately 7.5″ and the outward cant of the sides can be about approximately 80° from horizontal. The identification plate 126 is designated as having dimensions K×L and one embodiment of the invention is such that K and L are about approximately 7.5″ and 3.375″ respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the front and side plan views of the bail rod handle is shown. The bail rod handle is shown having a length M and width N. One embodiment of the invention is such that the length M can be about approximately 17.125″ and the width N can be about approximately 8 3/16″. The fold back portion 406 of the bail rod handle is described by dimensions S and T where one embodiment of the invention can be about approximately 1 13/16″ for S and about approximately ⅜″ for T.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a plan view of the locking wire member 408 is shown. The locking member is shown having a length designated as O which can be about approximately 4½″. The fold back portion of the locking member is described by dimensions designated at P, Q and R where one embodiment of the invention can be such that P can be about approximately ⅜″, Q can be about approximately 1⅛″ and R can be about approximately 35°.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the basket caddys are shown in a nested arrangement. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a top and front plan view is shown of an optional accessory for the caddy basket which is a liner pan which is designed to be removably installed in the bottom of the caddy. The dimension AA can be about approximately 15.4″ and dimension BB can be about approximately 10.5″ and dimension CC can be about approximately 2.0″.

The various ladder caddy examples shown above illustrate a novel ladder caddy apparatus. A user of the present invention may choose any of the above ladder caddy embodiments, or an equivalent thereof, depending upon the desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that various forms of the subject ladder caddy could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the sprit and scope of the present invention.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. 

1. A caddy operable to be mounted over and about a top portion of a step ladder comprising: a plurality of lengthwise substantially planar u-shape wires and a plurality of widthwise substantially planar u-shape wires where the base portion of each u-shaped wire is substantially flattened and where the base portions are interconnected along the length of the base portions such that the lengthwise and widthwise wires cross to form a mesh like bottom portion of the caddy and where the opposing sides of each of the u-shaped wires are canted away from each other at an angle, and where the plurality of sides form the vented pairs of opposing longer side walls and shorter end walls with respect to each other creating a volume of the basket; a top frame rod connected about the peripheral of the side walls at the top and center frame rod connected about the peripheral of the side walls where each is formed into a substantially closed rectangle; and a first and second u-shaped bail rod each having opposing ends where the base of each u-shape is substantially flattened and the sides of the u-shape are substantially parallel and the opposing ends of each are pivotally mounted to a side of the substantially closed rectangle of the top frame rod.
 2. The caddy as recited in claim 1, where the substantially closed rectangular top frame rod has first and second open ended loops formed therein on opposing short sides of the top frame rods for securing electrical cords and where the first and second loops have a first and second gap wire respectively to bridge the open ends and for mounting a spool of wire.
 3. The caddy as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a spool rod having one end pivotally attached to the first gap wire and having a length sufficient to support the opposing end of the spool rod on the second gap wire for mounting the spool of wire.
 4. The caddy as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a support wire pivotally attached at one end to the first open ended loop for locking an electrical cord in place.
 5. The caddy as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a paint roller handle locking wire attached horizontally along one of the end walls spaced proximately beneath one of the open ended loops.
 6. The caddy as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a liner pan removably disposed on the bottom portion of the caddy.
 7. The caddy as recited in claim 1, where the top frame rod and the center frame rod are optimally positioned top to bottom along the sides of the caddy such that the. caddy is optimally strengthened to resist deformation of basket when in use, and where the bail rods are optimally dimensioned such that the caddy remains atop the step ladder on which it is installed and is level and where the sides of the caddy are inwardly canted top to bottom such that the caddy remains level when installed.
 8. A caddy operable to be mounted over and about a top portion of a step ladder comprising: a vented wire basket having a generally vented rectangular bottom wall and vented pairs of opposing side and end walls formed by a plurality of u-shaped planar continuous wires having a wire base portion and side portions having a flattened base portion and outwardly canted sides portions interconnected in a mesh pattern; a top frame rod connected peripherally about the top of the side walls forming a substantially closed rectangle and a center frame rod connected peripherally about a central portion of the side walls; and a first and second substantially u-shaped bail rod having opposing ends and a bail rod base portion and bail rod side portions having flattened base portions and substantially parallel side portion where the opposing ends are pivotally attached to a side of the substantially closed rectangular top frame rod.
 9. The caddy as recited in claim 8, where the substantially closed rectangular top frame rod has first and second open ended loops formed therein on opposing short sides of the top frame rods for securing electrical cords and where the first and second loops have a first and second gap wire respectively to bridge the open ends and for mounting a spool of wire.
 10. The caddy as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a spool rod having one end pivotally attached to the first gap wire and having a length sufficient to support the opposing end of the spool rod on the second gap wire for mounting the spool of wire.
 11. The caddy as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a support wire pivotally attached at one end to the first open ended loop for locking an electrical cord in place.
 12. The caddy as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a paint roller handle locking wire attached horizontally along one of the end walls spaced proximately beneath one of the open ended loops.
 13. The caddy as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a liner pan removably disposed on the bottom portion of the caddy.
 14. The caddy as recited in claim 8, where the top frame rod and the center frame rod are optimally positioned top to bottom along the sides of the caddy such that the caddy is optimally strengthened to resist deformation of basket when in use, and where the bail rods are optimally dimensioned such that the caddy remains atop the step ladder on which it is installed and is level and where the sides of the caddy are inwardly canted top to bottom such that the caddy remains level when installed.
 15. A caddy operable to be mounted over and about a top portion of a step ladder comprising: a vented wire basket portion having a substantially rectangular bottom wall and vented pairs of opposing side and end walls defining a volume for containing items therein; a top frame rod connected peripherally about the top of the side walls forming a substantially closed rectangle and a center frame rod connected peripherally about a central portion of the side walls for reducing deformation of the wire basket; and a bail rod pivotally connected to a long side of the substantially closed rectangular frame rod having optimal dimensions for securing the basket atop a stepladder in a level position.
 16. The caddy as recited in claim 15, where the substantially closed rectangular top frame rod has first and second open ended loops formed therein on opposing short sides of the top frame rods for securing electrical cords and where the first and second loops have a first and second gap wire respectively to bridge the open ends and for mounting a spool of wire.
 17. The caddy as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a spool rod having one end pivotally attached to the first gap wire and having a length sufficient to support the opposing end of the spool rod on the second gap wire for mounting the spool of wire.
 18. The caddy as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a support wire pivotally attached at one end to the first open ended loop for locking an electrical cord in place.
 19. The caddy as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a paint roller handle locking wire attached horizontally along one of the end walls spaced proximately beneath one of the open ended loops.
 20. The caddy as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a liner pan removably disposed on the bottom portion of the caddy.
 21. The caddy as recited in claim 15, where the top frame rod and the center frame rod are optimally positioned top to bottom along the sides of the caddy such that the caddy is optimally strengthened to resist deformation of basket when in use, and where the bail rods are optimally dimensioned such that the caddy remains atop the step ladder on which it is installed and is level and where the sides of the caddy are inwardly canted top to bottom such that the caddy remains level when installed.
 22. A caddy operable to be mounted over and about a top portion of a step ladder comprising: a wire frame rod formed into a substantially closed rectangle peripherally connected about a plurality of interconnected substantially planar u-shaped wires having a substantially flattened base, where the interconnects are along the bottoms and where the sides of the u-shape form vented pairs of opposing side and end walls; and a bail rod pivotally connected to a long side of the substantially closed rectangular frame rod.
 23. The caddy as recited in claim 22, where the substantially closed rectangular wire frame rod has first and second open ended loops formed therein on opposing short sides of the top frame rod for securing electrical cords and where the first and second loops have a first and second gap wire respectively to bridge the open ends and for mounting a spool of wire.
 24. The caddy as recited in claim 23, further comprising: a spool rod having one end pivotally attached to the first gap wire and having a length sufficient to support the opposing end of the spool rod on the second gap wire for mounting the spool of wire.
 25. The caddy as recited in claim 23, further comprising: a support wire pivotally attached at one end to the first open ended loop for locking an electrical cord in place.
 26. The caddy as recited in claim 23, further comprising: a paint roller handle locking wire attached horizontally along one of the end walls spaced proximately beneath one of the open ended loops.
 27. The caddy as recited in claim 23, further comprising: a liner pan removably disposed on the bottom portion of the caddy.
 28. The caddy as recited in claim 22, where the top frame rod and the center frame rod are optimally positioned top to bottom along the sides of the caddy such that the caddy is optimally strengthened to resist deformation of basket when in use, and where the bail rods are optimally dimensioned such that the caddy remains atop the step ladder on which it is installed and is level and where the sides of the caddy are inwardly canted top to bottom such that the caddy remains level when installed. 